Emily Cooper

Dr. Emily Cooper is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Law and Policing at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), where she contributes to teaching and conducts interdisciplinary research focused on vulnerability, justice, and policing reform. Her work is deeply collaborative, involving partnerships with police forces and public agencies across the UK.

Research Interests: Emily's research spans criminology, gender studies, and public policy, with a strong emphasis on lived experience. Key areas include:

• Vulnerability in policing and justice systems
• Sex work, regulation, and access to justice
• Violence against women and girls
• Financial crime, fraud, and sextortion
• Police wellbeing and organizational culture
• Sudden child death investigations
• Sensory and aesthetic criminology

Her recent publications (2021–2025) reveal a consistent trajectory in addressing systemic gaps in policy and practice, particularly through qualitative and collaborative methodologies. Articles in journals like British Journal of Criminology and Gender, Work and Organization highlight her interdisciplinary reach. She has led and contributed to numerous policy-relevant reports on fraud, domestic abuse during the pandemic, and knife crime.

Scientific Contributions:

• Co-edited and contributed to the 2024 book Navigating Contemporary Sex Work (Springer Nature)
• Published in top-tier journals across criminology, management, and policing
• Authored influential white papers and policy reviews for organizations like We Fight Fraud and Scottish Sentencing Council

Advising and Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, Emily leads and co-leads multiple collaborative research projects with police and governmental bodies, suggesting active grant involvement and team leadership. Her work is applied and policy-driven, often funded through institutional or public service partnerships.

Labs and Teams: Emily is embedded in UCLan’s research ecosystem, particularly within the School of Law and Policing. She collaborates extensively with colleagues such as Dr. Sarah Kingston, Dr. Nathan Birdsall, and Dr. Rebecca Phythian, indicating strong interdisciplinary team engagement in policing and criminology research.